All articles tagged with #unmanned surface vessels
The U.S. Navy successfully demonstrated a robotic system to refuel an unmanned surface vessel at sea, transferring 400 gallons of fuel across roughly 100 connection cycles. While the hardware proved effective, the operation required human operators to steer the drone boat, highlighting the gap between current capabilities and future fully autonomous missions.
On September 3, 2026, the Ukrainian Navy struck the Russian-flagged support vessel Nefrit in the port of Sochi using an unmanned surface vessel (USV). This marks the first known USV attack on the Black Sea resort city, located approximately 350 miles from Ukrainian-held territory. The Ukrainian Navy stated the strike targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, claiming the vessel supported oil and gas operations. While video footage confirmed an explosion and smoke, the extent of damage remains unclear. The attack occurred during daylight hours, a departure from previous night-time operations, and coincided with a broader wave of Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian airspace and civilian infrastructure.
Cameras on Royal Navy K3 Scout drones were found sending routine signals to a Chinese system during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment. The Ministry of Defence said no sensitive data was compromised and the issue was contained, but the incident underscores cybersecurity risks when military drone components come from external manufacturers as Britain expands autonomous systems under Operation Beehive, including potential deployments to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Saronic announced Port Alpha, a $3+ billion greenfield shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, designed to produce vessels up to 850 feet (and potentially larger in future) for both commercial and military use, with construction slated to begin in 2026 and operations by 2028. The project, meant to boost U.S. shipbuilding capacity and reduce reliance on government R&D, is expected to generate substantial regional economic impact and thousands of jobs, while Saronic continues to develop its fleet of USVs like Corsair, Mirage, and Marauder for Navy evaluation and potential deployment.
Iran is deploying explosive-laden drone boats disguised as fishing vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a new asymmetric maritime threat; experts warn swarms could be remotely controlled or autonomous, complicating defenses in the chokepoint as reports of tanker attacks and mines prompt discussions of international escort missions and heightened naval readiness.
Saildrone will fit its 20-meter Surveyor unmanned surface vessel with Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Ground Missile launcher, signaling a push to arm naval drones while keeping a human in the loop; larger USVs may also host containerized missiles, with AI integration and a live-fire demo planned for next summer, as navies seek layered, deterrence-capable unmanned fleets, though theater differences complicate replication across conflicts.
Ukraine is now deploying bomber drones launched from unmanned surface vessels to attack targets in Crimea, including Russian radar systems, enhancing their asymmetric warfare capabilities and challenging Russian defenses in the Black Sea region.
Unmanned surface vessels operated by Yemen's army have become a significant threat to US Navy forces in the Red Sea, with Rear Adm. Marc Miguez expressing concern over the lack of intelligence to counter this new threat. The confrontation escalated after Yemen targeted ships linked to Israel, prompting US and British strikes on Yemeni missile and drone sites. Yemen later launched naval missile attacks on a British-linked oil ship, leading to confirmation by the US Central Command and statements from the US State Department regarding the incident.
Sailors aboard the USS Eisenhower and its accompanying warships have been defending against ballistic missiles, drones, and now face a new threat of fast unmanned vessels launched by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea. The Navy has intercepted and destroyed multiple unmanned surface vessels, a new and concerning threat. The constant combat pace has taken a toll on sailors, but morale is maintained through reminders of their importance and access to wi-fi for staying connected with families. The USS Eisenhower's fleet has conducted numerous intercepts and self-defense strikes, with the crew remaining vigilant and committed to defending their ship and each other.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its accompanying warships have been at sea for four months, defending against Houthi missiles and now facing a new threat of fast unmanned vessels. The Navy has had to intercept multiple unmanned surface vessels, a new and potentially lethal threat. The constant combat pace has taken a toll on sailors, but efforts to maintain morale include providing wi-fi access for communication with families back home. The ships have conducted numerous intercepts and self-defense strikes on Houthi targets, with sailors expressing the challenges and adrenaline of being at sea for an extended period.
Northrop Grumman is set to showcase its Project Scion initiative's autonomy and electronic warfare payloads for unmanned surface vessels at upcoming events in California and Michigan. The company's focus on developing scalable technology for uncrewed vessels comes amid increasing interest from the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in unmanned technologies. The Project Scion initiative aims to integrate technologies from various domains to create combat-and-surveillance systems for customers, addressing the need to do more with fewer resources in future conflicts. The company's efforts align with the Department of Defense's initiative to field thousands of uncrewed systems in the coming years.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces conducted strikes on two unmanned surface vessels and three anti-ship cruise missiles near Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, which were identified as an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence revealed the successful use of six MAGURA V5 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to sink a Russian missile corvette in a special operation, marking a significant development in unmanned surface vessel deployment. The USVs achieved six direct hits on the ship's hull, causing it to sink. Ukraine's limited naval capabilities have led to the strategic use of maritime suicide drones to counterbalance Russia's influence in the Black Sea, resulting in the destruction or damage of at least 17 vessels within Russia's Black Sea Fleet. The MAGURA V5 USV, with multifunctional capabilities, was publicly introduced in 2023 and has been employed in previous attacks on Russian naval assets.
The U.S. Navy has deployed four unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to Japan as part of the Integrated Battle Problem 23.2 exercise. These USVs, including prototypes for the Navy's planned Large Unmanned Surface Vessel program, are being used as fully operational tools to assist manned ships in conducting missions in the Pacific. The USVs have integrated with various commands and ships along the way, and their deployment has provided valuable insights into the challenges of integrating new technology into established tactics and procedures. The Navy sees the deployment of USVs as a game-changer, allowing for increased coverage of water space with the same number of manned surface combatants.
Ukrainian navy unmanned surface vessels launched a series of attacks on the Russian Black Sea Fleet's patrol ships, reportedly damaging or destroying at least three, and potentially four, vessels over the course of three days. These attacks occurred in conjunction with other strikes on the Russian fleet, including a cruise missile strike on a landing ship and submarine. The Ukrainian drone operation highlights the vulnerability of the Black Sea Fleet, which has already suffered significant losses in recent months.